(China Daily) China launched a Long March 4C carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Friday afternoon to transport several satellites into space.
China Aerospace Science and Technology said in a statement that the rocket, built by its Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, blasted off at 12:47 pm and later joined the second group of the Yaogan 31-series remote-sensing satellites in orbit.
It was the 359th flight mission of the Long March fleet.
Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, also a CASC subsidiary, the satellites are tasked with scientific experiments, electromagnetic environment surveys and land and marine resources investigation.
China launched the first group of Yaogan 31 remote sensing satellites in 2018.
CASC plans to launch more than 40 missions this year, including those for the nation’s space station program. The company said earlier this month 2021 will become its busiest year in terms of launch activity.
In 2020, CASC conducted 34 launches, including three made by Long March 5-series rockets that carried into space China’s next-generation manned spacecraft, the country’s first independent Mars probe and the landmark Chang’e 5 lunar sample mission.
Source: By Zhao Lei | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2021-01-29 13:46
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